Automobile theft lock



May 27 11924.

Y l W. W. A VAN WAY AUTOMOBILE THEFT LOCK Filed 001'" 20. 1921 2Sheets-Sheet 1 /t-MMLA WN AK O May 27, 1924.. 4 1,495,700 Y W. w. LA VANWAY AUTOMOBILE THEFT LOCK med Oct. 2o. 1921 z sheets-sheet 2A PatentedMay 27, 1924.

Meana w. LA VAN WAY7V or LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA.

f "AA'UTOMOBILE THEFT LOCK.

'Application fileaoetoberrzo, 1921. serial No. 508,925.

To all whom ztmay concern:

`Be it 4known that I, WILLIAM W. LA VAN Waage citizen of ytheUnited-States, residing at` Lon Beach, in the county of Los Angeles anState ofCalifornifn` have invented new and useful Improvements inAutomobile' VTheft Locks, of which the'` following is a specification. Y

My invention relates to alocking device for motor vehicles, theprincipal object of my invention being to provide relatively simple,-practical and veffective means that is adapted to engage parts of theoperating mechanism yof ,a vehicle, preferably the pedals utilized .foractuating the clutch and v brake. and which locking device will beeffec-tive in 'preventing the theft. or unauthorized-,use of the vehicleto Whichit 1s applied'.

Further objects of ,my invention `are'to` provide a motor vehiclelocking vdevice movement. .v

wherein practically all of the' operating ,parts ofthe lock are whollynclosed in metal boxes or housings,v and whichlatter are secured to eachother and to thewood and "metal frame'of-the' vehicle, so' that 4it ispractically impossible for saidfpartsto be readily removed or broken bypersons making an'attempt to steal ,the vehicle to which the deviceiszapplied; further to provide a. locking device ofthe characterldescribed-that may be'easily and, cheaply produced, applicable-for usein connection with practically all makes of motor vehicles, andfurther'to provide a lock that may be easily and cheaply installed andwhich will be very effective in performing its .intended functions. f ,Yf',

With the foregoing and other objects in Aview, my invention consistslin'. certain novel features of construction and arrangement of partsthat will be hereinafter more fully described andclaimed and illustratedin the 'accompanying drawings, in which: vFigure `1 is a sideelevational view of a portion'of the motor vehicle with yparts. thereofbroken away" and showing a locking device of my improved constructionapplied to said vehicle and associated-withthe clutch and brake pedalsthereof 4 p l Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through tlie`.ioor ofthe vehicle and through the lower'liousing of the locking device, zandshowing the parts thereof in position to lock the clutch and bral'epedalsfagainst Fig. 3 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 2 -andsho-wing the operating parts ofthe lock in unlocked position `soas topermit the clutch and brakepedals to bemanipulated in the usual mannerWhile the car is being operated.

Fig. a is a horizontalsection taken approximately on the line 4.-4 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section ltaken approximately on the line 5 5 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken approximately on the line 6-6 ofFig.3. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken approximately on the line7-7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross section taken approximately on the line; 8-8of Fig.` 1. Fig. 9 is a horizontal `section taken approximately on theline V9 9 of Fig. 8.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings which illustrate apractical embodiment of my invention, 10- designates one of the sidemembers ofthe frame of the chassis, which member is preferablychannel-shape in cross section with its flanges inwardly presented,andpositioned directlyon topof said frame member is tlielusualwoodensill 11' forming a-fpart of the frame ofthe body or tonneau, andextending inwardly from said 'sill 11 ar theV usualfloor boards 12,., yMy improved locking mechanism is contained in a pair of metal'housingsor boxes, one of which, designated by the numeral 13, occupies aVposition 'on top of the sill 11 immediately to the left and rear of theclutch and brake operating pedals, and the other boX or housing 14occupying a position immediately below the floor boards 12 and adjacentto the portions of the channel 10 and sill 11 above which the boX orhousing 13 'is positioned. vThe box` or housing 13 is secured to channel41() and sill-11 by a bolt,` such as 15, 'that .extends through thebottom of said housing 13, and through the said channel and sill, thelower end of said bolt receiving a nut 16. The lower housing 14 issecured' to channel `10and sill 11 by screws or bolts 17 that extendthrough an extended portion of the top of said boX v or housing 14,downwardly through a part or collars, such as v18, and pivotallyconnected to the upper end of each yoke or collar is the forward end ofa horizontally disposed rod, such as 19, and the rear portions of thesetwo rods extend through openings 20 that are formed in the front wall ofhousing 14 so that said rear portions of the rods are positioned withinsaid housing.

Pivotally suspended above each 'opening 20 is a hardened metal `plate21, the same being provided with an aperture 22 that coincides `with thecorresponding aperture 20, and through which the corresponding rod 19passes. Connected to the lower ends of these pivotally mounted plates 21are the forward ends of retractile springs 23, the reary ends thereofbeing secured to the upturned flange of an angle plat-e 24, and thelatter being formed integral with or fixed to a plate 25 that isarranged for sliding movement on the bottom of the box 14. Plates 24 and25 are normally forced toward the front wall of housingI 14 under theiniiuence of a iiat spring` 24"L that is secured t0 the rear wall ofsaid housing, and the free end of which spring bearing against the rearside of the upturned flange of said plate 24.

Formed in plate 25 is a pair of longitudinally disposed guide slots 26,and passing therethrough are pins or rivets 27 that are in the bottom ofthe box. Seated in and projecting upwardly from the center of plate 25is a pin or rivet 23 that engages in a slot 29 that `is formed'in theend of a lever 30, the latter being fulcrumed on a pin or rivet 31 thatis seated in the bottom of box 14, and the outer end of said lever is'slotted as designated by 32 in order to receive apin or rivet 33 thatprojects upwardly from a short crank arm 34.

This crank arm is fixed on the lower portion of a vertically disposedshaft 35, lthe lower end of which is journaled in the bottom of box 14,and said shaft extending upwardly through the top flange of channel 1()through sill 11 and upwardly into the box 13, the upper portion of saidshaft being journaled in a bearing 36 that is fixed to the rear wall ofsaid box 13. Fixed on the upper end of shaft 35 above the bearing 36 isa cap 37, from the lower portion of which projects a short horizontallydisposed arm 38, and pivotally connected to the outer end `of said armis the inner end of a push rod 39 that extends through an aperture 40 inthe rear wall of housing 13. and the outer end of said rod beingprovided with a head or cap 41.

Overlying arm 33 is a horizontally disposed arm 42` one end of which ispivoted on a pin 43 that is seated in one of the walls of the housing13, and secured to the end of said arm adjacent to its pivot point isthe lower end of al retractile spring 44, the

that is seated in the wall of the box or housing.' This spring 44 isarranged so that it tends to throw the opposite or free end of the arm 42 downwardly. Formed in the under side of arm 42 and adapted to receivethe arm 38 when the same is shifted into an angular position, as will behereinafter more fully described, is a notch or recess 46.

Arranged in the outer kwall of housing 13 is the body 47 of a lockingdevice, preferably of the type that is key controlled, and `having arotatably arranged cylinder 43, and the latter projecting into thechamber within the housing 13. Carried by the inner end of the cylinder48 is a rearwardly projecting pin or plate 49 which, when the cylinderis rotated by proper manipulation of thek key when inserted into thelock, engages the under side of the free end of arm 42 and lifts thesame so as to permit the disengagement of arm 38 from notch 46.

Under normal conditions, or while the car that is equipped with myimproved locking device is being driven by the owner or authorizedperson, the various parts of the device occupy the positions asillustrated in Figs. 3, 6, 7 and 8.- Arm 42 occupies a horizontalposition, inasmuch as its lower edge adjacent to the notch 46 rests uponthe top of =arn1 38, and as long as plate 24 is retained in its normalposition by spring 24, as illustrated in Fig. 7, spring 23 is inert,that is without tension, and as a. result plates 21 occupy 'verticalpositions as illustrated in Fig. 3 with their apertures 22 in directalinement with apertures 20 so that as thev pedals P are actuated in theoperation of the car, the rods 19 connected to said pedals will moveforwardly and rearwardly through. the apertures. 2O and 22.

When the owner of the vehicle leaves his car, the locking mechanism isset for operation by inward pressure upon head or cap 41 carried by pushrod 39, and as the latter is moved inward a short distance, arm 33 willbe swung into an'angular position, as shown in Fig. 4, therebypermitting arm 42 to swing' downward as the notch 46 moves into positionabove said arm 42, and the latter beingswung upon its pivot under the1niuence of spring 44.

Shaft 35 is partially rotated as arm 33 is shifted by push rod 39, and'following the partial rotation of said shaft, crank arm 34 will beswung from the position illustrated in Fig. 7 to the positionillustrated in Fig. 5, thereby' swinging lever 30 upon its fulerum 31and moving plate 25 and angle plate 24 rearwardly in housing 14 againstthe 'rcsistance afforded by spring 24a, and consequently slightlyexpanding and imparting slight tension to retractile springs 23. As suchaction takes place, plates 21 willbe swung into angular positions withrespect upper end of which is secured to a pin 45 to the vertical planeoccupied by the front wall of housing 14,y andwith the parts sopositioned the lock isset for operation.

A; person-attempting to steal 7the car to which` my' improved lock isapplied, orto use the saine without permission, must necessarily throwout the clutch in order to start the engine, 'and todo this, the clutchpedal must be pushed downwardly. As such movement talesplace, thecorresponding rod 19 will be drawn forwardly through-the opening 22finthe corresponding plate21 and through the opening in the front ofhousing 14. l/Vhen the clutch pedal is released-the tendency of thespring associated therewith is to restore said pedal to itsnormalposition, but due tothe angular `position of the plate 21 tthroughwhich the rod 19, that is associated with the clutch pedal, passes, saidrod will be gripped by the edge of the opening 22 in plate 21 so'that itwill tbe effectually held against rearward movement.4 Thus it will `beimpossible for the person attempting to steal or use the car to operatethe same. For to do so, it is vnecessary that the clutch be engagedbefore the engine vmay operate the driving shaft of the vehicle. Thus'ifthe clutch pedal is pushed downwardly for any reason whatever while thelocli is set for operation, it will be impossible for said lever toreturn to its normal position so that the engine will operate the car,and which action is due to the engagement of the rod 19 by the plate 21when said rod is drawn forwardly by the clutch pedal as it is moveddownwardly. Likewise, the foot brake will be rendered inoperative andlocked against operation in the event that the pedal thereof is pusheddownwardly. For by so doing the rod 19 associated therewith, will beengaged and locked in a forward position by the corresponding one of theplates 21.

The owner of the car, upon returning to the same, inserts the proper keyin the lock 47 and rotates cylinder 48 so that the linger or plate 49therein bears against the under side of the end of arm 42 and elevatesthe same to a substantially horizontal position. Such movement releasesarm 38 from notch 46 and immediately following such movement the powerstored in spring 24 will force plates 24 and 25 forwardly to theirnormal positions within housing 24 thereby permitting the rod lockingplates 21 to swing into their normal vertical positions, andsimultaneously the connection between lever 30 and arm 34 will partiallyrotate vertically disposed shaft 35 thereby swinging the arm 38 awayfrom the notch 46 and moving push rod 39 outwardly through opening 40,thus restoring the various parts of the locking device to their normalpositions. As long as the plates 21 are maintained in their normalvertical positions they will not grip the rods 19 and consequently theclutch and brake pedals may be operated in the usual manner.

vAnnotor vehicle lockingdevice lof imy proved construction iscomparatively simple, maybe easily Ian'dcheaply produced, and isapplicable for use'in connection withpractically all formsoflmotorl'vehiclesi Among the particularly novel and advantageousfeatures oftheinvention to which I desire to calllespecial attention,are the arrangement joffthe 'operating parts of the locking mechanisminmetal housings that are directly connected to the metal frame and lwoodsillof the vehicle, rand the arrangement of they greater portion of thelocking means beneath the floor of the vehicle, in which position' it isout of sight and not readily accessible to thieves or persons who mightattempt toI use the vehicle without the knowledge or consent ofthe ownerthereof. i

It willbe understood that minor changes in size, form and constructionofthe various parts of my improved lo'ckmay be made and substituted forthose herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of myinvention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my yinvention-z l. A lock of the characterdescribedcomprising a' housingfformed withopenings, rodsslidable throughsaid opening and extending into said housing, locking plates pivotallymounted in the housing and having openings therein adaptable to registerwith the openings of said housing, a plate slidable in the housing,resilient members operatively connecting said plate and locking plates,said plate being capable of occupying one extreme position in which theresilient members are inactive to allow the locking plates to occupynon-locking positions, and another extreme position in which theresilient members are placed under tension to move the locking plates togripping position with respect to said rods, and means for securing saidplate in the last mentioned position. t

2. A lock of the character described comprising a housing formed withopenings, rods slidable through said openings and eX- tending into saidhousing, locking plates pivotally mounted in the housing and havingopenings therein adaptable to register with the openings of saidhousing, a plate i slidable in the housing, resilient membersoperatively connecting the plate and locking plates, said plate beingcapable of occupying one extreme position in which the resilient membersare inactive to allow the locking plates to occupy non-lockingpositions, and another extreme position in which the resilient membersare placed under tension to move the locking plates to grippingpositions with respect to said rods, means for moving said 'plate to thelast mentioned position comprising a shaft, an arm connected to theshaft, a push rod connected to the arm, a locking plate having a notchadapted to receive said arm for locking the shaft against rotation,means for urging the bar in the direction of the arm, and key operatedmeans for moving said bar to released position with respect to said arm.

3. A lock of the character described cornprising a housing having anopening therein, a rod slidable through the opening, a lock ing platepivoted in the housing and movable to occupy one position in which themovement of the rod in one direction is prevented and another positionin which the movement of the rod is permitted, a guided plate slidablein the housing and operatively connected to be moved into either of twopositions, and key controlled means for moving said guided plate toeiect operation of the looking plate.

4. A lock of the character described coinprising a housing having anopening therein, a rod slidable through the opening, a locking platepivoted in the housing, and movable to occupy one position in which themovement of the rod in one direction is prevented and another positionin which the movement of the rod is permitted, a plate slidable in thehousing and operatively con nected to the locking plates to move thelatter to either of said positions,l a shaft operatively connected tosaid plate for moving the latter, an arm fixed to said shaft, a push rodconnected to the arm to provide manual means for rotating the shaft,means for locking the shaft against rotation, and key operative meansfor releasing said locking means.

5. A lock of the character described comprising a housing having anopening therein, a rod slidable through the opening, a locking platepivoted in the housing, and movable to occupy one position in Which themovement of the rod in one direction is prevented and another positionin Which the movement of the rod is permitted, a plate slidable in thehousing and operatively connected to the locking plate to move thelatter to either of said positions, a shaft operatively connected tosaid plate for moving the latter, an arm fixed to said shaft, a push rodconnected to the arm to provide manual means for rotating the shaft, anotched bar urged in the direction of said arm so that the arm reposesWithin said notch when in one position to prevent rotation of saidshart, and key operated means for moving the bar free of said arm.

In testimony whereof:l I have signed my name to this specilication.

VILLIAM W. LA VAN TAY

